Sunday, December 26, 2010

Clearly, Jamaica has a growing culture of latent homosexuals of both male and female. They outwardly seek the company of the same sex, however, due to fear of societal rejection and or the promise of violence they never fully embark in an out of the closet gay relationship. Instead they opt for a more socially accepted version. Therefore, women embark in relationships with men who act and dress in a more female manner. Outwardly the ‘men’ are very in-tuned with their femininity (in the wrong way), they display very ‘delicate’ mannerisms and do everything from bleaching, eyebrow arching and even forgoing male scents opting instead for a flowery perfume instead of a woody male cologne. To fill the void women tend to take a more dominant role and while they may still dress like females their roles have now become that of protector and provider in the relationship. Financially, emotionally and at times physically they do everything in the relationship that the quintessential male figure should do, including but not limited to providing money, directly or indirectly to buy bleaching cream and Clarks and/or walking on the outside during their strolls a position usually only occupied by a true gentleman. Essentially perpetuating a ‘Mine mi fe wine mi’ culture. Something once only a certain class of females would have the audacity to admit to. But instead now songs like Clarks II Vybz Kartel proudly states;
“Gal a mine mi fi wine me she love me off,
She say she a go a town she mi say bring mi Clarks,
She say wah kinda style yu wah,
Me say bring it inna suede, leather every material fi de Boss.”

No doubt women play a destructively encouraging roll in the Chi Chi Bad man phenomena. When before the effeminate boy especially in inner-city communities would be ridiculed and at times ostracized for acting/talking like a sissy now he now has a place in the company of older women who enjoy the company of a young Shebada. They cajole and encourage these boys to act more outrageously, they discuss in the presence of these children their adult/sexual relationships and instead of a functioning adult-child relationship the boys are treated as girlfriends and provide comic relief for these older women, providing the punch line for very explicit situations. Eventually they learn to beg, either implicitly by imitating actions of the elder female or explicitly being told to do so. Thus, begins the erosion as without a real male figure to instill such values as real men work, they protect and provide for their families, these boys eventually learn the hard way there is no such thing as a free ride when they beg the wrong men.

For the uninitiated the Dancehall video light is more than just an avenue to ‘big up’ oneself and friends, it is more than just a catalog of a hype party. A video light especially one from a very well known party is a market of the flesh. Long before e-harmony and match.com the video light acted as a community notice board advertising the best and ‘baddest’ a particular subculture had to offer. Dressed in the finest and dancing in very sexually suggestive ways is a means for one not only to cement one’s place in this subculture but also acts as a means for a ‘big man’ to see a hot girl and say ‘a who da girl deh she bad eeh.’ This may eventually lead to him knowing this girl in a more biblical sense. Therefore, one can understand why some players in this culture would bitterly oppose wasted hours of important video time spent on peacocks. Essentially the culture that sprang up of male dancers; they act in an identical manner to the women they ‘model’ and brag and big up friends and their sexual prowess. And in some cases they beg more than any woman ever could. Where the conflict arise is these Chi Chi bad boys some posing as dancers will muscle out women from the Video Light. In theory these Chi Chi Bad boys compete for the same spoils and have no qualms reminding females that in comparison to what they have to offer a pussy has no value.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

If you love me and love the blog please don't turn me into the Jamaican Kanye West at the upcoming Jamaica Blog Awards. Don't make have to grab the mic and be a douchebag, So vote and save me from doing something crazy.

Or worst I will start stealing. Please don't make me angry steal crap ^_^ Just vote for The Phoenix in a Gas House for Best Personal Blog.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Some days I feel like Rip Van Winkle. I fell asleep for too long and woke up in a strange time warp where nothing makes sense. To be honest I feel like that old man shaking his fist saying,

I'm not saying these men are gay

“Hey you crazy kids turn that garbage off and pull your pants up!”
There is this phenomena set to music by Beenie Man and further defined by Dr Imani Tafari-Ama [Blood Bullets and Bodies: Sexual Politics Below Jamaica's Poverty Line, 2006, Chapter 6, pages 219-220] that I grossly need help understanding. That is, the phenomena of the Chi Chi Badman. Tafari-Ama states;

“In most every way, these Chi Chi Bad Men or bad Chi Chi Men are the ultimate binary opposition to emerge from the concrete jungles of Kingston’s urban slums… No sociologist was able to predict that the product of the most violently antagonistic and consistently anti-homosexual discourse in the ghetto- the bad boy gunmen- who are supposedly the very antithesis of anything queer, gay or funny, would suddenly and voluntarily switch their sexual orientation to become the very kind of persons that they had previously hated so passionately- batty men.”
“In effect, they have become lower class male prostitutes who service upper class gay men for top dollars.”

Usually the inner-city male is seen as the epitome of the Jamaican version of the macho man. Further more there is on other group in Jamaica so vehemently intolerant and opposed to the homosexual lifestyle than that of the Jamaican Shotter/Inner-city male. If you still subscribe the ideal male figure projected in songs from independence to present he is a very strong classically masculine figure constantly facing and overcoming the pressures of being male and underclass. Therefore, the phenomenon of the effeminate badman is an unforeseen paradox of our time. One is very amazed when observing these “men”; bleached faced, very arched eyebrows dressed in pastels that the girliest girl gravitates to because it totally expresses femininity.

If you have a penis then pink is the wrong colour for you

Not to mention the very close fitting female jeans worn strategically below the rump by these men. It gives the feeling of an advertisement of easy access rather than to convey the notion of strong, hard male protector. While generally the idea of a homosexual male is usually that of a tame, fragile, extravagantly flamboyant, RuPaul- esque male, however, today this is definitely not the case with the Chi Chi Badman and no better description could be found than that postulated by Ama in which she states;

“Make no mistake about it. These new inner-city Chi Chi Boys are not your ordinary tame and domesticated/sophisticated kind of homosexuals. These are not the poor, defenseless and victimized Jamaican homos whose cause the British gay group Outrage! likes to champion. No, these Badman Chi Chi Boys are tough young killers who can defend themselves and who will not hesitate to shoot or cut up anyone trying to criticize or mock them for their decision to embrace this still distained lifestyle.”

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Today was the opening of the National Biennial Exhibition. It will run from December to March and features eighty (80) artist, thirty (30) were invited while the others gained their place through a jury system.

The fifth edition of the biennial was pretty much a snooze fest. It was hard to hear the guest speaker Ms. Kay Osborne, which in this case might have been a good thing as the bits and pieces that you did hear were pretty boring.

Guest Speaker Kay Osborne in front of work by Phillip Thomas

As opening art shows go especially in Jamaica, it was much of the same. There was so much social masturbation and hand jobs going on, thank goodness the quality of work being shown was so potent to cut through the stink of social climbing.

L to R: Veerle Poupey, Joseph A. Matalon, David Boxer

David Boxer

"I was the Guest Speaker at the National Gallery and all I got was this lousy T-Shirt."

In spite of the first day foolishness there are so many great Jamaican artists and I was happy to see so many great works in one place at one time. Some I particularly liked were from Kemar Swaby Hands of the Beholder (Mixed Media), Sekani (Akindele Hickling) The Valiant Warrior, Khalfani Ra Paradise or Tasmanian Devil The Great Taboo(Wax Acrylic on Bible Pages).

Jody Ann Macmillan- Made in Jamaica (oil on canvas)

Marlon James

Marlon James- Janus (Digital Print)

Raymond Watson

Raymond Watson- Rhythm (Stone Resin Steel)

Omari Ra

In many societies art galleries tend to be seen as being an intimidating place Jamaica is no different, however I do hope you all take the step and go see the show. Find out more about the artists you like and MOST IMPORTANTLY. BUY THE WORK FROM ARTISTS YOU LIKE. I don't know why people think artist survive on love and weed, they need cash too.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

To quote Marcus Garvey or any other black leader who had a positive opinion on black skin would be an utter waste. I never understood Bleaching, I can't understand how this is an actual phenomena in the same place that gave birth to Marcus Garvey. The main thing I don't get is some Bleachers will never admit that that is in fact what is being done. Opting for euphemisms such as "rub" and "tone". Bleaching Lord Kartel said his metamorphosis happened by using only cake soap(washing soap) and sitting in air conditioned rooms all day. One thing that I will always love about the internet is its full of information. So here is a bit of information for anyone who happens to be a true friend of Kartel to remind him that he is supposed to be black.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Remember when Rex said a Bhutu in a Benz is still a bhutu? I believe at the time his reference was to the many Informal Commercial Importers (ICI’s) or Hagglers who displayed the usual characteristics of new money. That is the intense concentration on flash and showing a very Kitsch idea of opulence with the trinkets that their money affords. Except the class and refinement that these trinkets were suppose to show was woefully missing. No doubt that there has been and continue to be a mass erosion of manners and what one would think to be common sense etiquette extended to each other daily (maybe it had something to do with Elephant man moving up on the hill). And there is also no debating that money cannot buy you common sense, good judgment or refinement, just ask Vybz Kartel. I believe there is a mass conspiracy of ‘Bhutufication’ of the population as thought up and executed by the so-called Jamaican academia and jokers that pass for politicians done as a means of social control and perpetuation of the ‘Us vs. Them’ mentality so rampant in this Jamaican post-colonial society.

Unfortunately, as with every ill thought out plan by weak minds the blow back was/is reminiscent of a synthetic outbreak intended to harm and/or control only one set group. However, they tend to infect indiscriminately. The result is the bhutification of the nation. So dramatic and invasive is this disease that not even the nice uptown Brownings were to survive the Bhutu epidemic. The recent Babyface concert held at the National Indoor Arena brought to light the Bhuturized uptown practices that seem now ingrained in the culture like darkness does for cockroaches. For most parties the VIP section conjures images of velvet ropes and exclusivity. The very meaning of the abbreviation Very Important People oozes opulence and rareness and the impression of intimacy with the performers that could never be garnered by those who occupy the cheap-ass nose bleed seats. Very Important Behinds are seated comfortably here and the rest of you poor bastards should be overflowing with jealousy.

Unfortunately this is not the case with a great majority of these Jamaican events the money spent on procuring a VIP ticket one would gain greater value and satisfaction using said money to wipe ones ass and watch it being flushed down the toilet. This was the feeling I got from the recent Diana King /Babyface show. This was infinitely sad, as the lineup was not the normal ‘Buff Baff’ rabble of Vybz Kartel and Bounty Killer therefore; the expected experience was somewhat different. I have seen the glowing reviews of the show from different media houses and I wonder was this the same event or what? Jamaicans have always been blamed for poor customer service practices and the Jamaican show promoter heads the list of persons oblivious to the term customer delight.

The old adage “You get what you pay for” is an insult for those who forked out big bucks for the so-called VIP access to this and many other stage shows (usually in my case I get robbed twice or even thrice as I never learn my lesson and go alone to the so called VIP). For example, the $6500 spent at the Babyface concert gets you entry into the acoustic nightmare that is the National Indoor Sports Arena (a Turnkey Productions event). Yes I am sure there are ways to circumvent the awful sound that one would get from a huge echo friendly space with hard walls and seats meaning, the sound would constantly bounce back however, the sound technician (and I use technician very loosely) must have been a recent graduate as the sound for the night for all performances was so harsh and offensive to the ears.
For an event billed for couples one would think the hidden agenda was for said couples to go home and have sex. The décor if you can call it that went in another direction. There was no romantically draped fabric anywhere, nothing to suggest love or even lust. It was so bad that my Louis Vuitton Don had to ask,
“Eve honey is this a joke or did you take me to a children’s party?”
The god awful white plastic lawn chairs that no one thought of putting a cheap slip cover over to create some kind of different ambiance not to mention the hard ass stadium benches no one though to put cushions on after all it WAS V.I.P. There was nothing inclusive in the so called VIP access so patrons had the pleasure of buying refreshments and being served in the very very very did I mention very cheap plastic cups and cocktail plates the cheap ones not the Chinet or Dixie ones.

By no means am I picking on the promoters the Babyface/Diana King show that was supposed to be some sort of charity venture. But in truth it would have been better served if the donation was sent directly to the United Way instead of wasting it on the so-called VIP tickets. There are other false VIP offenders including yearly staples such as Reggae Sumfest now that VIP is a joke at best and a pigpen for you to wallow in on not so sunny days. Now there is so much buzz all over the social media about the upcoming Jazz and Blues Festival for the 23-29th January 2011. Yes I am going because I think I might try to rape that lead singer for Maroon 5 so far the confirmed headline act. Let’s hope Turn Key Promotions don’t fuck up VIP for Jazz and Blues 2011.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I’m afraid to post on my own blog. I’m s such a weird-o. I can’t say I’m a perfectionist because I’m not, but what I can tell you is I never give the good stuff when my life is happy and well adjusted. I’m trying to fix that; after all this blog started when I was going through a dark sad period in my life. So what have I been up to? I have been really happy. I’m also leaving the nest pretty soon which is pretty overwhelming and exciting feeling. I know I won’t be ready for everything but I’m not afraid. I keep having weird dreams about waking up in my truly awesome apartment with hardwood floors and I’m starting to think that I’m a little bit crazy seeing as I haven’t seen this apartment in real life yet. Something about myself I did not know... I’m pretty blond, and I find it hilarious that some days I’m a walking dumb blond joke. Finally on the personal level old friends are coming back into my life I am happy for their return but I do have a long memory everything is taken with a grain of salt.

What’s in the pipeline?
The very long overdue already written but I don’t like the conclusion interview I did with one of my most favorite designers Biggy. Chi Chi Badman a look at the homosexual bad man. Bhutu inna Benz why the more prudent choice is to wipe your ass with your cash and flush it down the toilet instead of spending it on VIP ticket for most Jamaican parties. I’ll return to where I started thanks in part to a request from @Just Sherman and write more history/culture related posts. Also there is a write up on artist Raymond Watson as he finishes up his piece for mounting at the Simón Bolívar center. I think that’s all the unfinished posts that I will be cleaning up and posting in the coming days/weeks. Now my question to you is why don’t you hold me more accountable when my mind wonder’s away like a flock of sheep and there are no posts here huh?

Monday, October 25, 2010

The "Cool Ruler" has died. Reggae great Gregory Isaacs, who earned that chilled-out honorific thanks to his natty dress and emphasis on romantic, yearning tunes, died at the age of 59 at his home in London following a yearlong battle with lung cancer, according to BBC News.

Isaacs, best known for his bubbling 1982 hit "Night Nurse," gained his nickname as a result of his 1978 album, Cool Ruler, on which he perfected the reggae style known as "lover's rock," a swaying, bouncy sound that mixed the insistent thrum and downbeat of the Jamaican islands with a 1950s R&B crooner-style vocal.

"Gregory was well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed," his wife Linda said in a statement.
Though his recorded persona was that of a sensitive, often heartbroken man, a Los Angeles Times obituary noted that Isaacs was blocked from taking up the mantle of the late Bob Marley as the next international reggae star as a result of his outlaw "rude boy" persona, which resulted in dozens of arrests over the years on drug and gun charges, as well as a serious cocaine addiction.

Isaacs, born in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 15, 1951, loved listening to American R&B singers such as Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson on the radio as a child and began making a name for himself as a teenager in the 1960s, performing at talent contests and with other vocalists before going solo in 1970.

After a string of self-released albums and singles on his own African Museum label, he finally hit pay dirt with 1973's "My Only Lover," widely considered the first lover's rock tune. Like so many of his hits, it showcased his sensual, smooth tenor and kicked off a decade-plus run of chart-toppers that peaked in 1982 with the seductive "Night Nurse," recorded at Marley's Tuff Gong studios. In addition to his entrancing high and longing vocals, Isaacs used urgent moans and groans as the signature punctuation on some of his most beloved songs.

In keeping with his outlaw image, Isaacs was unable to celebrate the hit because he was serving a six-month prison sentence in Jamaica for unlicensed handgun possession. "I'd say he's one of the three geniuses I've known in the reggae music business, and I've known everyone," said Gary Himelfarb, who released several Isaacs albums on his label, RAS Records, in the 1990s.

"Gregory was the kind of person who could walk through a room of 20 people and come out the other side and tell you what everybody was wearing," added Himelfarb, known professionally as Dr. Dread. "He could sit at a piano and compose incredible tunes. He was really brilliant. He was on a whole other level than your typical Jamaican artist."

While the combination of his legal troubles and the ravages of drugs on his subtle voice contributed to his unreliability, Isaacs nonetheless became an inspiration to a new generation of reggae stars through his combination of lover's rock and more politically charged tunes, such as "Black Liberation Struggle."

Son and fellow reggae singer Kevin Isaacs, who appeared on the joint 2000 album Father and Son, tweeted a tribute to his dad Sunday night, writing, "R.I.P Dad, you're a great father to me and my Idol. That's all I can say for now, I'm hurt. My dad just died. Give thanks to all his supporters."

Though he was said to have recorded 500 albums in his career, the Times said Isaacs put the number at closer to 200. His final album was 2008's Brand New Me for the African Museum label.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Not to be ungrateful for the rain but if you are a pedestrian, Kingston is one really nasty place to be when it rains. What’s worst is if you happen to get caught Downtown Kingston in slippers or the unthinkable, getting splashed by some inconsiderate driver. Here are my top five reasons why you should never get caught downtown in the rain.

5. Usually when it rains the earth looks refreshed and new. There is crispness about the air and the earth shows you that yes I am happy for the rain. This is not the case in Kingston. Instead of green and happy there is a putrid gray that looms over the entire area and everywhere you walk you think oh god this is so nasty.

4. Every pool of water is a guaranteed cocktail of the nastiest germs ever. If it happens to touch your skin no matter if you bath in bleach, peroxide and hospital strength alcohol you are going to get some sort of skin infection.

3.At some point in our history some people got together and decided that to use trash receptacles; were no longer where trash goes. As a result you find everything depending on the street from baby diapers to juice bottles all over the street. What is funny is the trash bin will be completely empty while around it is full of garbage. When it rains guess what gets mixed with that lovely rain water?

2. Some men are so NASTY they relieve themselves in every corner they find now if this corner has the pungent aroma of ammonia and sometimes fecal matter on DRY DAYS what do you think is in this run off from this same corner.

1.One rule of thumb when dealing with bodies of water in Kingston is to take it for granted that this is sewage water. I know it might look clean and you might think it’s just a broken main or run off from this rain we are having but TRUST ME, if it didn’t start out as sewage water it got mixed with sewage water therefore you guessed it, its sewage water.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

St Michael, Barbados:
Popular dancehall entertainer Bounty Killer, who has recently been before the courts after multiple altercations with female companions, is among a number of Caribbean artistes who have pledged their support for the eradication of violence against women in the region.

"He's definitely going to be getting involved in it. He acknowledges that he has been in situations like that before, so he wants to try and become a positive example by contributing to a cause like this and being able to talk to others who find themselves in these situations. So he will be putting a lot of energy into this project," said Bounty's manager, Julian Jones-Griffith.

However, he said they are yet to formulate exactly what form his contribution will take.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, made the announcement during the Caribbean launch of the UNiTE campaign to end violence against women, held at the Hilton Barbados, this week.
Grange said Bounty Killer, whose real name is Rodney Pryce, had sent a message to her while she was at the conference, stating that he wanted to turn a new page in his life and was willing to be part of any programme that addresses the issue of violence against women.

The United Nations Secretary-General's campaign has been using Caribbean artistes to convey messages for a change from the form of abuse which continues to increase in the region.
Grange, who was chairing a panel on Caribbean artistes at the conference, said using artistes to convey the message for a transformed society was a positive move which would reap success.
"There is no doubt that if you want to increase public awareness and social mobilisation you have to use music," she said.

Dominican artiste Nelly Stharre expressed her delight for the opportunity to contribute to the change in society. She said artistes can make a difference through music by conveying the right messages in music. "A lot of time artistes don't understand the opportunity and responsibility we have to make a difference in society, more effective than our parents and teachers, even politicians," she said.

Stharre noted that it would take hard work and determination to tackle the problem which has been plaguing society for so long.
Adisa Jelani Andwele, an artiste, who is the UNDP spokesperson for peace and poverty eradication, and reggae artiste Masud Sadiki from St Kitts, are also working with the group.

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) said artistes, due to their power of voice and personality, can make a tremendous contribution to the campaign by educating and sensitising everyone, who needs to join in the fight to end gender-based violence.

In the meantime, UNIFEM has pledged to work along with the 'Sisters for Sisters' and the 'Brothers for Sisters' programme in Jamaica, as well as several artistes, to extend their cultural Caribbean artistes UNiTE to the island.

Reggae artiste Buju Banton was this afternoon offered $250,000 bail in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in the United States.

But Banton, real name Mark Myrie, is still not in the clear as his lawyer David Oscar Markus will now have to seek bond in the immigration court to prevent his deportation to Jamaica. Banton’s entertainment visa was revoked when he was arrested last December.

As part of Banton's bail condition, he will have to wear a monitoring device and will be subject to house arrest and 24 hour security, to be paid for by the defence.

He can only leave his house for meetings with his attorney and for doctors’ appointments and to purchase medication. He will also be subjected to drug testing.

With the impending release of his album The Seven Year Itch , Protojé has released a fifth single. The new track entitled Rasta Love features Grammy nominated artiste, Ky-Mani Marley.

Marley delivers the catchy chorus describing the trials of a young woman involved with a rasta man while Protoje fuels the song's savvy verses. The track has reportedly caught on with fans in cyberspace since it was leaked on YouTube last week.

The Don Corleon produced Rasta Love comes hot on the heels of Roll, released in August on the Minor Riddim. Both tracks will appear on The Seven Year Itch is slated for an early 2011 release. Protojé is currently anticipating his promotional tour this December in parts of Europe and the USA.

Most recently, the singer performed in Toronto, Canada at the Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture. His next major gig will be on October 17 at ARTical Empowerment Live!, the main event for the upcoming Manifesto Jamaica Festival of ARTical Empowerment. It will take place at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. Protojé’s entire Indiggnation band is expected to perform.

According to sources deejay Vybz Kartel has signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, which he would have to cease all anti-homophobic lyrics or statements.

Stop Murder Music (SMM) France campaign received a signed copy of the RCA a few weeks ago. It has been alleged that a copy of the document, has the artiste's name and his signature, reports are that that he signed the document on September 22.

In 2007, gay groups in the US and Europe drafted the Reggae Compassionate Act, which called on dancehall acts to be more tolerant to homosexuals.

A concert, which was to be held at the Elysée-Montmartre on Sept-ember 24, with reggae singer Sizzla Kalonji, was subsequently cancelled due to efforts made by gay affiliates.

According to Auerbach Chiffrin, they will be keeping on eye on Kartel to make sure he "respects his words"….

Vybz Kartel and Russian at Odds?
There is word going around alleging that Vybz Kartel is in no longer in any working relationship or any relationship for that matter with ace producer Russian from Head Cuncussion Records.

It is alleged that the Russian had signed up several new artiste that Kartel had some interest in and has been working with artiste from the Bounty lead Alliance group. This seem to not sit well with Vybz Kartel and thus things seemed to have gone sour between them.

It is still being speculated that Vybz Kartel still beats his artiste and thus the new ones are not up for that and thus would rather roll with Russian from Head Concussion Records. It was also indicated that Kartel is trying to influencing Russian not to work with the alliance members...

Kartel and his team recently established the Gaza/Portmore Empire talent show to recruit new artiste and performers. The event will be ongoing until January 2011 where the winners would be awarded with contracts with the group. My advice to them is to get insurance and a body guard.

KONSHENS LANDED A MOVIE ROLE

Recording Artiste Konshens will take on his first movie role early next year in a film that will be directed by Gareth Cobran. Cobran, who is popular for music videos like Konshens' Realest Song and Protoje's Dread, said he would be doing his first film next year, with the dancehall artiste playing the lead role.

While remaining tight lipped about the name of the film, Cobran said he is in the process of developing a script and is also looking for some funding for the script. Cobran said the film will be an adaptation of a play written by Omall Wright and added that it is not the everyday kind of story that comes out of Jamaica but still very relevant to our culture. Konshens says he is excited about this new venture.

As for being in a movie, he said it would be his first time but he is definitely looking forward to the experience. Konshens also said he thinks Jamaican artistes should jump at opportunities like this to work on local projects, build and expand their selling power and star qualities.

TANTO BLACKS STABBED

Upcoming artiste Tanto Blacks was stabbed at least three times last Friday night, after he had an altercation with another man, said to be his friend of 17 years. Tanto explained that he was stabbed after he had asked the man, to vacate a place he had rented to him.

He said he rented the place to the man for a while now but recently gave him an eviction notice. According to Tanto, the tenant was reluctant to leave and decided to stay, despite being given adequate time to leave and identify somewhere else. Tanto said last Friday, he confronted the man who showed no immediate sign of wanting to leave.

He said he went into the house and began removing the blades from a window when he was stabbed in his back. A report was made to the police and following investigations, the alleged assaulter was arrested and charged. Tanto received treatment at the Spanish Town Hospital before getting additional treatment at a private medical practice.

Mary J. Blige. Gyptian Tour

Reggae artist Gyptian continues to sizzle this year as he now joins forces with the iconic Mary J. Blige. Gyptian will be breaking from his tour schedule to join the R&B queen on the England leg of her UK tour. He takes the stage on November 2 at The O2 Arena in London, the same venue Michael Jackson was slated to headline for his infamous 'This Is It' concert. Gyptian then heads with Blige to the LG Arena in Birmingham on November 3, before resuming his own tour. Gyptian has been touring consistently since releasing his current album Hold You this summer, even joining Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Nas on several dates of their recent 'Distant Relatives' tour in the US.

Gyptian was enlisted for Blige's new single, "Anything You Want," which is expected to be on her new album. The reggae-infused track also features Busta Rhymes and has been receiving steady airplay since its release in early September.
This exciting concert collaboration was secured by Planet Reggae, the new booking division of VP Records/Greensleeves Records, with AEG, the world's #1 concert production company.

"These are the opportunities that come about by having the #1 record label in reggae enter the live-touring business," states Neil Robertson, head of Planet Reggae. "Our brand lends credibility and comfort for the major international talent buyers. When you combine that with a great artist like Gyptian and a manager like Ivor Ruddock, who both understand the bigger picture, you can expect more high profile opportunities which are good for the whole genre."

Gyptian has been heating up the UK scene recently, with his performance at BBC Radio 1Xtra Live in late September, and will return on October 20 for the MOBO Awards, where he's nominated for 'Reggae Artist of the Year.'